New exhibit in Albany highlights trail-blazing women in honor of Women's History Month (video)

ALBANY >> Women's History Month debuted at the Capitol Monday with Gov. Andrew Cuomo opening a new exhibit on trail-blazing women and advocates announcing a final push to win passage of his 10-point "Women's Equality Agenda."

The agenda Cuomo announced in his State of the State speech in January includes measures addressing human trafficking, pay equity, non-discrimination against pregnant employees, and sexual harassment. Cuomo also included the Reproductive Health Act, which faces opposition from pro-life groups who see it as an unwarranted expansion of abortion access laws.

"The governor's commitment to pay equity, extending protections against sexual harassment to all of New York's workers, and protecting a woman's right to make her own private health care decisions will undoubtedly help level the playing field and ensure that all New York's mothers, daughters, sisters and wives can fully and equally participate in society," Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union said at a press conference on the bills.

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Supporters expressed confidence the entire package of bills would pass the Legislature before the session is over in June.

After the press conference, the advocates from NARAL, the League of Women Voters, YWCAs, and labor unions went to see Cuomo for a tour of the new exhibit outside his office.

The displays have information on famous New York women such as pioneering garment workers union leaders Lavinia Waight and Louise Mitchell, who formed the first womens' labor union in New York City in 1825; and Kate Mullany of Troy, who formed a union of women collar laundry workers in 1864 while just 19 years old. The union lasted for six years, far longer than other early unions composed of women.

Also honored in the exhibit is Frances Perkins, who was state industrial commissioner under Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt, then became secretary of labor and the first woman cabinet member in history when FDR won the presidency. Belva Ann Lockwood, who was born in Niagara County, is also honored as the first woman permitted to practice law before the Supreme Court. She ran for president in 1884 and 1888, becoming the first woman to be nominated by a party.

"New York's women have always been trailblazers in the pursuit of equality and justice in our nation," Cuomo said in a press release announcing the opening of the exhibit. "As the birth place of the women's rights movement in 1848, it is important that we continue that tradition by working toward achieving women's equality in all areas of our society. Through organizing efforts, governmental action or shattering glass ceilings in professions historically dominated by men, the women featured in this exhibit represent the very best of our State's tradition of national leadership in advancing equality and economic justice. I encourage all New Yorkers to visit this exhibit at the Capitol and share in the recognition of these extraordinary women."